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Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Another perspective ...

When it comes to quilting, I love how creativity and inspiration builds upon itself.

I love how fabric designers draw inspiration from so many different things to create their beautiful designs, and then sewists draw inspiration from those designs to create items (quilts, bags, clothing) ... many of which the fabric designer could never have even imagined.

Having recently had my first quilt professionally quilted (my Sanctuary quilt for the latest issue of Fat Quarterly), I can now see how a long-arm quilter takes that creativity even one step further. They, too, start with something created by someone else and look for their own inspiration to take a quilt to the next level. I guess I just hadn't realized that professional long-arm quilters have a whole different perspective on the project and bring a new set of ideas and considerations to the table.

But I'm not doing a great job explaining myself. Instead, jump over to Bethany's post where she describes the thought process she followed when deciding how to best quilt my project, and the many things she considered to complement my design and take it to the next level. I found it fascinating.

I love your quilt and the quilting is incredible! She did a remarkable job! I would love to get her to quilt some tops for me. In reading about your quilt, you mentioned that the fabric was by Valerie Wells. Valerie used to work at the quilt shop where I live when she was much younger. In fact she taught my daughter's sewing class. Small world,isn't it? Love & blessings from NC!

Actually, I think you did a very good job of explaining yourself, John. And I quite agree! I don't understand why some quilters act like it's some sort of crime or cheat to have a quilt long arm quilted. The quilting can really add so much more to a quilt and take it to another level. Long arm quilting is anart in the same way designing and constructing the quilt is. Sometimes I do my own quilting and sometimes I entrust my quilts to my good friend and longarm quilter so she can perform her magic. She constantly amazes me!